Guilty Pleasures

by Matilda Martel

Harper Brooks is a pink-loving, rose-colored glasses-wearing dreamer. Silas Fraser, on the other hand, sees the world in stark black and white. These two couldn't be more different - but fate has a funny way of bringing opposites together.

When Harper opens her "In the Pink" boutique next to Silas's luxurious La Belle Epoque hotel, it's like mixing oil and water. He hates the bold pink awning and enormous welcome mat and worries it will bring down the value of his prized properties.

When Silas pressures Harper to close her dream store, she says no.

When he threatens her with retaliation, she gives it as good as she gets.

When he’s overcome with passion, sweeps her into his arms and makes mad passionate love to her, their ongoing war becomes awkward.

Harper wants to go back to the way things were. After all, it’s just a guilty pleasure among enemies.

Silas doesn’t believe in guilty pleasures. He plays to win and when the bane of his existence transforms into the love of his life, he’s all in.

Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2025

About the author

Matilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.

I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.

If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.

I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.

I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.

I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.

No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.

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Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper is a boutique owner, and Silas owns the hotel next door to her boutique. These two start as enemies but by the end they fall for each other, and I loved their crazy journey along the way. This enemies to lovers, opposites attract, age gap romance is a definite page turner with drama, crazy fun banter, steamy tension, and a great ending. Guilty Pleasures is book one and a steamy start to The Guilty Series. I loved it and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Tiffini Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and to the point. Very spicy and has my favorite trope - enemies to lovers. You’ll like this age-gap book if you’re into that for sure! I can’t wait to read the second book to find out more about Zoe!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Did you slap a LoJack on my ass?"

Guilty Pleasures is the first book in the new The Guilty Series. I loved this OTT, quirky, age-gap, banter filled, hotter than Hades, and just a lot of fun story. Harper Brooks is finally making her dream come true of opening a store that only sells things which are pink. The location of In the Pink is right next door to an old and very luxurious hotel, La Belle Epoque Hotel. The hotel is the jewel in the crown of Silas Fraser's empire. He inherited the hotel from his grandfather and then after building his real estate empire he refurbished the hotel, with the result of it being better than it was when it was at its peak. But when Silas finds out about the "pink" shop next door he is furious and is ready to fight dirty to put it out of business. But as Harper fights him at every turn he become more enamoured of the lovely and feisty younger woman. When hate turns to passion will it be a mistake or will it be the beginning of a forever?
I really enjoyed this fast-paced, funny, quirky, and smoking hot smexy romance. Once again Matilda Martel has delivered an outstanding book. I can't wait to read the next in this series....

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Blind-Sided by Love**

"Guilty Pleasure" is the first book in The Guilty Series and tells the story of Harper and Silas as they find their happily ever after (HEA).

Harper is about to open her dream store, filled with everything pink. However, there’s one person trying to thwart her plans: Silas, who owns the grand hotel next door. Silas uses every tactic he can think of to sabotage her grand opening, but he quickly realizes that Harper doesn’t back down easily and can fight back just as fiercely.

Though they are true opposites, the attraction between them begins to heat up and ignite one fateful night. While Harper only wants it to be a one-night affair, Silas understands that he wants something more and must convince Harper that their connection can be deeper.

This fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers installment of the series is engaging and will leave you wanting more of their journey toward a happy ending. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennie Gibbons]

If you're a fan of fiery enemies-to-lovers romances with a touch of humor, Guilty Pleasures delivers in spades. Harper Brooks is a vibrant, pink-obsessed dreamer, while Silas Fraser is a no-nonsense, black-and-white businessman. When their worlds collide—literally, as Harper’s boutique opens right next to Silas’s elite hotel—sparks fly in the best possible way.

The banter is sharp, the chemistry is sizzling, and the push-pull tension between Harper and Silas keeps the pages turning. Harper’s sunny optimism clashes with Silas’s brooding intensity, but when passion takes over, their feud turns into something far more complicated (and steamy!).

With witty dialogue, undeniable tension, and a hero who doesn’t back down once he realizes what he wants, Guilty Pleasures is a fun, addictive romance filled with heart and heat. If you love strong-willed heroines, possessive heroes, and plenty of passion, this book is a guilty pleasure you won’t want to put down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in The Guilty Series featuring Silas and Harper's captivating page-turning,enemies to lovers, suspenseful romance. Silas owns a luxury hotel so he's really not happy about Harper's "In the Pink" boutique opening right next to his hotel. Silas worries that the bold pink awning and enormous welcome mat will drive down the value of his property so he looks into sabotage and negotiations in order to make her move. However Harper is no shrinking violet and she fights fire with fire and gives back as good as she gets. Their fire leads to a passionate make- out session that turns into much more but is there any future for a relationship that began like theirs or will they only continue to be each other's guilty pleasure? You really need to read this captivating page-turning, enemies to lovers, suspenseful romance to see what happens. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sassy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story by Matilda Martel and I can't wait to read the next one by her. I love her style of writing and how she draws you into whatever world she is writing about. Harper and Silas are complete opposites. They shouldn't want each other the way they do. Harper is about to open her store dedicated to the power of pink in clothing as well as accessories. Silas owns several hotels and other properties. He thinks that this new store will be an eyesore for his guests at one of his hotels. He tries buying her out but she keeps refusing him. There is something about her that draws him in. She knows that she shouldn't want him but he pulls her deepest desires out to the open. Will they be able to find happiness together?

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

TROPES:
-enemies to lovers
-one night stand
-forbidden love
-novella

I thought I would love this one, but I truly didn't. The hero and heroine are enemies. The hero wants the heroine to close her new shop because he thinks it's an eyesore in front of the hotel he owns. He basically bullies her the whole book, trying to get her to close her shop. They have a one night stand and then fall for each other. It wasn't realistic at all, the plot was a mess, and the spice wasn't spicing.

SAFETY:
Virgin/manwhore/celibate: no virgins here
OM/OW: none
Cheating/sharing: none
HEA?: yes!

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Laura Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super short but spicy story. I feel like it could have been easily expanded upon and made into full length, amazing enemies to lovers romance.

The story has good bones and I would love to see it extended. I feel like they went from just having sex a couple times to I love you very quickly. I knew going into it it was a short story but it felt shorter than short.

Overall I got a great sense of who the characters were as individuals and their chemistry was off the charts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this.

Sometimes a book by this author feels like you're "watching" the story unfold and not being "in" the story with the characters, so I'm always a little apprehensive when I download one of them.

This time, though, was definitely worth it.

Do I feel like Silas got off easy with trying to ruin her business? Maybe a little, but then do I also feel like Harper got off too easy with her not wanting to commit? Also, maybe just a little.

I do like my stories with more of the characters being together and enjoying their relationship in between the drama, but I suppose with this one, their circumstances were the drama, so I can't complain.

But on the whole, this one was a goodie, so settle in.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas and Harper are giving off all kinds of love to hate you vibes and when that vibe changes, it takes a delicious and naughty turn for the better! In GUILTY PLEASURES the main characters are at each other’s throat, neither wants to concede to the other but when all that pent up energy turns to lust, it is on! I enjoyed watching them fall into love, kicking and screaming the entire way. This is a read, in one quick sitting romance. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR & Enjoy!

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas is the owner of an exclusive hotel in NYC and when he spots a new boutique opening in his street, his whole life changes. Harper is working towards the opening of "In the Pink" even though her neighbor and her arch nemesis Silas makes it hard for her. These two fight like cats and dogs and sparks fly between them. Silas wanted to close the offensive shop, but we'll he fell for the woman that owns it instead 😏 Instalove, rivals to lovers, fun to read, great banter, sweet ,OTT, romantic, steamy and safe with an awesome HEA and no real drama😍😍😍😍😍

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper is about to open her new boutique the only thing that seems to be trying to stop it is on Silas Fraser. He does not like the fact that it is next to his high end La Belle Epoque hotel. The more pressure he tries to put on her the more she stands her ground.

When he starts messing in the background from wholesale pricing to lease terms, she confronts him in a rage. Neither expect the explosive passion that takes place in his office. She wants to just call an one time thing but Silas has other ideas.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 in the Guilty Series by this author. It is an enemies to lovers romance between boutique owner Harper and hotel owner Silas. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. What starts out as a one night stand turns into something more. It is a love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, and an interesting cast of secondary characters. An engaging page turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ariana Ristovski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @instalove_influencers for this earc of Guilty Pleasures by @matildamartel.author
The first thing that comes to mind when starting this review is SPICY S This little book had an amazing amount of spice. But along with the spice came the plot! I loved Harper's and Silas's little feud and the tension that built up with it! Harper's work ethic with In the Pink made my heart swell and I wish that it was a real shop because an all pink store sounds like an absolute dreammm! Overall, loved this book

[JaneH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harper and Silas, where do I start? She is opening a shop next door to his up market hotel and he goes out of his way to make the opening fail, which it doesn’t. In the meantime they have a lunchtime heatfest. And then more hookups, and then a HEA.
This story is short on the getting to know you and high on passion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in The Guilty series. Harper is opening up her pink boutique next door to an elaborate hotel. Silas is the hotel owner and determined to run Harper out of business. I enjoyed the banter between Harper and Silas. Quick instalove novella with an age gap trope. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was a cute enemies to lovers romance. It was a short story with a fast pace and I have to admit that the ending seemed a bit rushed, I would have liked the story to have been just a bit longer to prevent the rushed ending. But I liked the chemistry between Harper and Silas and they sure did steam up the pages and I’m all for that.

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas is a grade A jerk who sets out to stop Harper from opening her store near his uptight hotel. Harper and Silas battle it out until frustration turns to sexual tension and I one wild moment of weakness they give in to their naughty urges. Love the tension and chemistry between them!! A great ramp up to a naughty HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeananna w/The Book Reading Gals · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, 'In the Pink' as a boutique name??? Oh yeahhhhh, I would totally shop there!!
Harper and Silas (love this hero name btw) are complete opposites. But their chemistry is palpable anytime they are in close proximity. This authors writing makes you feel as if you are in the room! This was a quick, smoking hot, 'guilty pleasure' of a read!! ENJOY!

[SuzieQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the banter between MMC and FMC- he tries to sabotage her new store, considering it to be an eyesore right next to his pompous hotel. She confronts him in his office and phew, steamy negotiations are on.
HEA with MMC deciding he doesn't mind a bit of 'pink' after all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us an enemies-to-lovers story that pulls us into the lives of Harper and Silas. The older man/younger woman story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, realization and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margarita Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and Sikes can't get along. He wants her to move her shop. He feels that it doesn't belong. They have a sparking relationship and once they capitulate they steam up the pages. Burns your fingers so hot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was a very quick and easy read. The characters cracked me up. They were so petty. They’re also so drawn to each other while being business rivals. I recommend this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful new series, I was hooked from the beginning. Silas and Harper are wonderful characters, They have a strong chemistry. I'm looking forward to more in this series,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellen Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked reading Silas & Harper's enemies to lovers, will they won't they story so much in read it in one go.

Definitely recommend reading this & can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This billionaire/ enemies to lovers romance is a wonderful read. It has great characters with over the top chemistry! The storyline is original with lots of spicy moments!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sil Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and Silas were awesome! He started out a total stinker and ended up being the biggest OTT love bug. Harper was strong and stood her ground, while enjoying life. Nice little book!

[nikitatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, the book started off great but it kind of fell flat for when it went from enemies to lovers then straight to dating. Something was missing in between all those things and I can’t put my finger on what it is but it made me kind of not like the book towards the end. I was debating on reading the next stand alone, but haven’t decided yet.